The effect of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Co on the growth of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in Czapek-Dox liquid medium at different concentrations of these heavy metals was investigated. The results provide evidence of the accumulation of metals analysed in the mycelium of P. chrysosporium This fungus is able to survive and grow in the medium containing up to 400 mu g/ml of ions rested. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.